When it comes to summer, we know that thoughts of lazy beach days and frosty poolside margaritas will nearly always prevail over style. After all, summer is about letting loose and freeing oneself of fashion dilemmas, right? Not quite. As our latest Style Spy story proves, you don’t need to break a sweat this summer to look stylish and chic. For the first part of our Summer Style series, we’ve picked four fashionable celebrity muses who are more than equipped to school us in the art of summer style, the LA way.

A quick glimpse at our chosen fashionistas reveals a few key trends for a luxe LA summer: a low-slung messenger bag or a slouchy shoulder bag, plenty of breezy cotton (preferably in a lively, colorful print) and effortlessly beautiful, au naturel makeup. With these key elements in mind, we’re ready for an in-depth look at summer style in Los Angeles!

Nicky Hilton: While Nicky (far left) prefers to keep a comparatively lower profile than her sister, her flair for off-duty fashion shouldn’t be missed. For a recent day out shopping, she chose a timeless summer staple – a printed tunic – and created a casual-yet-chic outfit by pairing her tunic with a low-slung studded belt and silver sandals. If you love this look, try one of Tolani’s chic tunics; Nicky has been seen in both the Mosaic Tunic ($105) and the Anna Tunic ($98). Combine your chosen tunic with a pair of summery sandals, like MIA’s Tiara T-Strap Sandal ($51.40), and then give your outfit a little edge with a studded belt; we like Linea Pelle’s Vintage Triple Strand Studded Hip Belt ($138).

Vanessa Hudgens: While most of our lovely ladies like to breeze through summer in unfussy dresses, Vanessa (second from left) puts her personal spin on LA summer style with this fresh, boho-luxe ensemble. Vanessa’s ultra-tight denim cut-offs are balanced perfectly with the floaty feel of Blue Life’s Angel Top ($93); similarly, her vintage-inspired boots contrast nicely against her youthful attitude and modern hippie aesthetic. If you’re ready to try this look, grab Siwy’s Alexa Cutoff Shorts ($174) and layer them underneath Blue Life’s top (mentioned above). Accessorize with MIA’s Bonnie Western Boots ($97.46) and Marc By Marc Jacobs’ Marc by Marc Jacobs’s Perfect Tavi Cross Body Bag ($348).

Kristin Cavallari: As a true Californian girl, it is no surprise that Kristin (second from right) has LA’s summer style down pat. Her simple-yet-stylish ensemble consists of two important beach-ready elements; a strapless white sundress to show off your sunkissed skin, and a crocheted tote bag that holds all your summer essentials. To take a page out of Kristin’s book, try Pins & Needles’s Eyelet Dress ($68) or Bop Basics’s Strapless Smock Mini Dress ($75.60). Your outfit won’t be complete without The SAK’s Casual Classics Drawstring Bucket Bag ($59) and Steve Madden’s Diamante T-Bar Strap Flat Sandal ($169.09).